Christian Aid Week 2024 is taking place from 12 to 18 May. This year the charity is inspiring people to challenge poverty in Burundi. Many worshipping communities in the Diocese of Gloucester have already planned how they will help.
Burundi is one of the most densely populated and poorest countries in Africa. Over 70% of the population live in poverty, and over half of children suffer from chronic malnutrition. The situation has been intensified by climate change and the global cost of living crisis.
Aline Nibogora (right) escaped an abusive marriage and found herself on the streets begging for a place to stay. Her life changed when she went on a three-day, Christian Aid-funded community workshop. With a small start-up loan, Aline began trading avocados and peanuts locally. She’s now a grocery wholesaler and living on her own plot of land where she’s building a home for her family and has big plans for future growth. She is now Chair of a branch of Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs) which supports 25 families.
Christian Aid wants your help to help more people like Aline.
Update – 2024 collection results for Syde and Caudle Green
Through their envelope collection, Syde and Caudle Green raised £315.50. Through Gift-Aid, they raised £83.88.
This is a total of £399.38.
Organisers Catherine Hazel and the Revd Andrew Bowden said in a joint statement: “We somehow got round everyone, and all but a few have responded most generously. I am, as always, humbled by the unexpected and remarkable generosity of individuals. Syde did particularly well this year – thanks to Catherine Hazel’s persistence! £17.25 average per household.
“This year has been difficult for all of us, and many are naturally feeling worried about the cost of living; but I think we all realise that it is much much worse for many of our brothers and sisters in other countries.
“Thank you so much for responding so generously.”
How to get involved
Organising your own fundraiser
Their theme for 2024 is ‘7 days, so many ways’, and encourages people to find creative ways to raise money. There are so many ideas and examples that can inspire you on their website, as well as instructions and resources that will help you to kickstart your fundraiser. Of course, there are always the usual giving envelopes which can be posted through letterboxes or used in church.
Some of our favourites are:
- 70k in May challenge, where you pledge to move 70km in the month of May
- creating your own online red envelope to encourage your friends, family and local community to donate
- quiz night
- talent show.
What’s happening locally?
St Mary’s, Painswick
Alongside their usual door to door envelope and e-giving collection service, they are having cream tea afternoons over the week and are organising a plant store. They are also hosting a ploughman’s lunch and a salmon supper. The church is also fundraising through an open garden weekend in June.
Syde and Caudle Green
A traditional annual house-to-house collection which has raised anything from £350 to a massive £650 in recent years.
Local organiser, the Revd Canon Andrew Bowden said: “I am devotedly and determinedly pro Christian aid, and I have been for 50 years. Their fundraisers are really important in helping others. I’ve never known them to be accused of misusing money unlike other charities. It is money well spent that isn’t wasted on administration and corruption. Their fundraisers work through local people so that money we raise actually goes to other local people and local causes that need it.”
Christian Aid Cheltenham
The churches in Cheltenham are coming together on Saturday 18 May for a street collection at Cheltenham shopping centre. The churches will also be holding their own individual events, such as coffee mornings, throughout Christian Aid week. Many of these churches will be focusing on distributing the traditional envelopes (delivery only) in their areas.
Christian Aid Cheltenham Official Andrew C. Smith commented: “We (Christian Aid Cheltenham) aim to deliver about twelve and a half thousand envelopes in Cheltenham. Many of us here were inspired by hearing the visitors from Burundi, Philip Galgallo and Felibien Ndintore, who explained very movingly the real importance of the work that Christian Aid is supporting in Burundi.”
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